Skycity reaches high

Auckland’s Skycity casino has banked on a major refurbishment and the Rugby World Cup to lure international gamblers. The casino recently unveiled new suites to cater for high-roller gamblers, especially from Asia.

The Auckland casino, most famous for the huge tower beside it which dominates the skyline, is part of the Skycity Entertainment Group, which is listed on the ASX and has other casinos in Australia and New Zealand. But it will be the redeveloped Auckland site that will capture attention this year. Chairman
Rod McGeoch
, who led Sydney's bid for the 2000 Olympics, says the prospect of thousands of overseas visitors should spur business during the World Cup.

“Many will be the sort of tourists who will probably appreciate the gaming and entertainment we’ll be providing while the tournament is on," he says.

The company also has plans beyond the World Cup. Recognising the popularity of gaming in Asia, Skycity will be competing to lure more of those gamblers to Auckland.

McGeoch says Macau is a powerful force in the Asian gaming market, eclipsing Las Vegas in terms of the amount wagered. But he says Skycity and other regional gaming operators are trying to attract their share of the big gamblers.

Skycity chief executive Nigel Morrison says the recent refurbishment includes what amounts to private villas at the casino for selected gaming guests. He says four new suites are on top of the hotel. Each has its own gaming salon and offers private dining facilities, a bar, balcony and a lounge area. Three have adjoining single rooms.

They also have their own dedicated staff and dealers can be supplied.

Morrison says the casino increased revenue from international customers to $NZ30 million ($22.5 million) in 2010, twice what it had been a year earlier. It is the casino’s fastest-growing business segment.